"Can Linux compete with Apple" is a silly question as Matt pointed out. "Can Linux compete with OSX in the mobile/laptop/desktop market" is a better question.

"Can Linux compete with Apple" is a silly question as Matt pointed out. "Can Linux compete with OSX in the mobile/laptop/desktop market" is a better question. I believe that Linux is technically as strong as OSX (if not stronger) but on the Linux GUI side, there isn't the laser sharp focus on usability and good taste that Apple has put into their GUI. Maybe ChromeOS can change this, Ubuntu has made great strides in this area, but I believe that OSX is still pretty far ahead.